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Free Study Material for Competitive Exams 2025
Indian National Movements
The Indian National Movement was a series of organized efforts by the people of India to gain independence from
British rule. It began in the 19th century and culminated in India achieving independence on 15th August 1947.
The movements evolved through various phases, including moderate, extremist, and Gandhian approaches.
Major Phases of the Indian National Movement
1. Early Nationalism (1885-1905)
2. Extremist Phase (1905-1919)
3. Gandhian Era (1919-1947)
Key Indian National Movements
(i) Indian National Congress (INC) Formation (1885)
• Founded By: A.O. Hume (British Civil Servant)
• First Session: 1885, Bombay (now Mumbai)
• Objective: To promote political dialogue and demand self-governance.
(ii) Swadeshi Movement (1905-1908)
• Reason: Partition of Bengal (1905) by Lord Curzon
• Location: Bengal (Now West Bengal and Bangladesh)
• Leaders: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai
• Objective: Boycott British goods and promote Indian-made products.
(iii) Home Rule Movement (1916-1918)
• Leaders: Bal Gangadhar Tilak (Maharashtra) and Annie Besant (Madras)
• Locations: Maharashtra and Madras (now Chennai)
• Objective: Self-Government (Home Rule) within the British Empire.
(iv) Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922)
• Launched By: Mahatma Gandhi
• Location: Nationwide (Major activities in Bengal, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh)
• Objective: Boycott British institutions, schools, and foreign goods.
• Outcome: Suspended after the Chauri Chaura incident (1922).
(v) Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934)
• Launched By: Mahatma Gandhi
• Location: Dandi (Gujarat) to other parts of India
• Objective: Protest against salt tax through the Dandi March (1930) and disobedience of British laws.
(vi) Quit India Movement (1942)
• Launched By: Mahatma Gandhi ("Do or Die" Speech)
• Location: Bombay (Launch point), spread across India
• Objective: Immediate withdrawal of British from India.
• Outcome: Suppressed by the British, but led to strong public unrest.
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(vii) Indian National Army (INA) and Azad Hind Movement (1943-1945)
• Leader: Subhas Chandra Bose
• Location: Singapore, Burma (Now Myanmar), and India’s Northeast
• Objective: Military action to overthrow British rule.
• Slogan: "Jai Hind" (Victory to India).
Important Leaders of the Indian National Movement
• Mahatma Gandhi: Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, and Quit India Movements.
• Subhas Chandra Bose: Azad Hind Fauj (INA) and Forward Bloc.
• Bal Gangadhar Tilak: "Swaraj is my birthright" and Home Rule Movement.
• Jawaharlal Nehru: Indian National Congress leader and First Prime Minister of India.
• Lala Lajpat Rai: Swadeshi Movement and Anti-Simon Commission Protest (Died from police injuries).
• Bhagat Singh: Revolutionary Socialist, involved in the Lahore Conspiracy Case.
Key Events and Their Locations
Event Year Location
Formation of INC 1885 Bombay (Mumbai)
Partition of Bengal 1905 Bengal
Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha) 1930 Dandi (Gujarat)
Quit India Movement 1942 Bombay (Mumbai)
INA Trials 1945-1946 Red Fort, Delhi
Important Facts to Remember
• Indian Independence: 15th August 1947.
• First Session of INC: 1885, Presided by W.C. Bonnerjee.
• Partition of Bengal: Annulled in 1911 due to public protests.
• Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931): Ended the Civil Disobedience Movement temporarily.
• Mountbatten Plan (1947): Led to the partition of India and Pakistan.
Conclusion
The Indian National Movement was marked by a blend of moderate petitions, mass protests, and armed
resistance. The collective efforts of millions of Indians and visionary leaders eventually forced the British to leave
India in 1947, marking the end of colonial rule and the beginning of an independent nation.
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Test Your Knowledge
1. Which of the following leaders was NOT associated with the Home Rule Movement?
A) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
B) Annie Besant
C) Bipin Chandra Pal
D) Joseph Baptista
Answer: C) Bipin Chandra Pal
Explanation: The Home Rule Movement (1916-1918) was primarily led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak in Maharashtra
and Annie Besant in Madras. Bipin Chandra Pal, although an important nationalist leader, was associated with
the Swadeshi Movement rather than the Home Rule Movement.
2. What was the primary reason behind the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922?
A) Gandhi-Irwin Pact
B) Chauri Chaura Incident
C) Simon Commission’s Arrival
D) Civil Disobedience Movement's Launch
Answer: B) Chauri Chaura Incident
Explanation: The Non-Cooperation Movement was suspended by Mahatma Gandhi in 1922 after the Chauri
Chaura incident, where a violent mob set a police station on fire, resulting in the death of 22 policemen. Gandhi
called off the movement due to his commitment to non-violence.
3. During which movement did Mahatma Gandhi deliver the famous "Do or Die" speech?
A) Civil Disobedience Movement
B) Quit India Movement
C) Non-Cooperation Movement
D) Swadeshi Movement
Answer: B) Quit India Movement
Explanation: On August 8, 1942, Mahatma Gandhi delivered the "Do or Die" speech at the Gowalia Tank Maidan
in Bombay, officially launching the Quit India Movement for immediate British withdrawal.
4. Which of the following statements about the Partition of Bengal is INCORRECT?
A) It occurred in 1905 under Lord Curzon’s administration.
B) It aimed to create administrative convenience.
C) It was annulled in 1911 due to mass protests.
D) It directly led to the formation of the Indian National Congress.
Answer: D) It directly led to the formation of the Indian National Congress.
Explanation: The Partition of Bengal in 1905 was intended for administrative ease but was widely viewed as an
attempt to divide Hindus and Muslims. The Indian National Congress was formed in 1885, long before the
partition.
5. Which agreement temporarily ended the Civil Disobedience Movement?
A) Gandhi-Irwin Pact
B) Poona Pact
C) Lucknow Pact
D) Mountbatten Plan
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Answer: A) Gandhi-Irwin Pact
Explanation: The Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931) resulted in the suspension of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Gandhi agreed to stop the movement in exchange for the release of political prisoners and permission to attend
the Round Table Conference.
6. Which slogan is attributed to Subhas Chandra Bose during his leadership of the INA?
A) "Swaraj is my birthright"
B) "Do or Die"
C) "Inquilab Zindabad"
D) "Jai Hind"
Answer: D) "Jai Hind"
Explanation: Subhas Chandra Bose popularized the slogan "Jai Hind," which became a symbol of patriotic fervor
during his leadership of the Indian National Army (INA).
7. Who presided over the first session of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1885?
A) W.C. Bonnerjee
B) Dadabhai Naoroji
C) A.O. Hume
D) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Answer: A) W.C. Bonnerjee
Explanation: W.C. Bonnerjee was the president of the first session of the Indian National Congress held in
Bombay in 1885.
8. The Indian National Army (INA) conducted its operations primarily in which regions?
A) Bengal and Bihar
B) Maharashtra and Gujarat
C) Singapore, Burma, and India’s Northeast
D) Punjab and Sindh
Answer: C) Singapore, Burma, and India’s Northeast
Explanation: The INA under Subhas Chandra Bose conducted military operations primarily in Singapore, Burma
(now Myanmar), and India’s northeastern region to challenge British rule.
9. What was the primary objective of the Swadeshi Movement?
A) To demand complete independence from British rule
B) To promote communal harmony
C) To boycott British goods and promote Indian-made products
D) To press for constitutional reforms
Answer: C) To boycott British goods and promote Indian-made products
Explanation: The Swadeshi Movement (1905-1908) was launched to boycott British goods and encourage the
use of indigenous products in response to the Partition of Bengal.
10. Which event marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement?
A) Formation of the Indian National Congress
B) Dandi March
C) Chauri Chaura Incident
D) Simon Commission Protest
Answer: B) Dandi March
Explanation: The Civil Disobedience Movement began with the Dandi March in 1930, where Mahatma Gandhi
and his followers marched from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi to protest against the British salt tax.
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